UConn Summer Job Opportunity
Student Mentors (4) for International Exchange Program
UConn’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) is looking for four Student Mentors for UConn’s Study of the U.S. Institute on Social Entrepreneurship program.
- Student Mentors will live with participants in UConn air conditioned dorms and will participate in all of the Institute activities except the homestays. Some evening and weekend activities are scheduled, as well as a full week of travel to New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC during the program’s fifth week.
- Student Mentors will assist the Academic Directors with conducting the day-to-day activities of the Institute. The Mentors’ primary role is to establish strong relations with the participants and assist them in taking advantage of all the Institute and UConn resources and activities. The mentors will participate in the discussions and debates, assist in anticipating participant needs and problems, and help facilitate solutions.
- Each of the two Institute groups is comprised of 20 students coming from North and Sub-Saharan African countries. They all speak English and are University student leaders in their early twenties.
- Lodging, meals, and all travel costs will be paid during the five week program which runs July 3 – August 7, 2015. Student mentors have the option of working the first four weeks (based at UConn) or participating in all five weeks.
- Compensation for the program, pre- and post-program planning, and wrap-up activities is $2,400 for four weeks or $3,000 for five weeks.
- This position is open to undergraduates who are completing their degree in May 2015 or graduate students currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral program.
- Student mentors should have a valid driver’s license and be interested in working with University student leaders from North and Sub-Saharan Africa and learning about social entrepreneurship.
- Preference for applicants who are willing to train for and drive a 15 passenger minibus.
- Please apply by emailing your resume and cover letter to Laura Labato (laura.labato@uconn.edu, 860-486-0235).
- Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, Feb. 18th at 4:00pm. After this time, submitted applications will not be considered for this position.
Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) 2015
for 40 Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship
from North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
UConn Storrs Campus July 3 – July 31 (4 weeks) Study Tour August 1- August 7 (1 week)
Two Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship will be hosted by the University of Connecticut (UConn) this summer from July 3 – August 7 (four weeks on campus, one week study tour). These institutes, the first comprised of 20 college student leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa and the second with 20 college student leaders from North Africa, will be run simultaneously. The educational and cultural exchange program will be developed and delivered by the University’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI). Numerous faculty members from throughout our institution will be participating in this five week program, along with subject matter experts from institutions of higher education across New England. The GTDI is partnering with Ashoka on this program. Ashoka’s work in advancing social entrepreneurship is well known and highly regarded across the globe. This Institute is sponsored by the Study of the U.S. Branch in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Student Leader Institutes promote a better understanding of the U.S. abroad and help to develop future world leaders. These Institutes explore the principles of democracy and fundamental American values such as individual rights, freedom of expression, pluralism and tolerance, and volunteerism. Participants have the opportunity to meet their American peers, engage in local community and service activities, and learn about the United States. The specific program objectives of this institute are to: 1) deepen participant understanding of the U.S.; 2) provide participants with an overview of how to use business techniques and entrepreneurial skills to address social issues; and 3) develop participants’ leadership and collective problem-solving skills, and inspire them to apply these skills.
The curriculum will cover several fields of study including: Political Science, American Studies, History, English, Business, Leadership Development, International Studies, Environmental Studies, Women’s Studies, Global Citizenship, and Civil and Human Rights. Through a creative mix of workshops, group exercises, site visits, homestays, and cultural activities, participants will explore the defining events, time periods, and leaders in American history who addressed social issues and shaped the evolution of the U.S. The four week intensive residential program at UConn’s main campus in Storrs, CT, will be followed by a weeklong trip to cultural sites of significance in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. The program will include project start-up funds (to be awarded on a competitive basis) and follow-up support to participants as they return home and launch their own social entrepreneurship ventures.
The short-term anticipated result of the program is that participants will gain a deeper understanding of the U.S. and social entrepreneurship. In the long-term, we hope that they will stay in touch with new American friends and use these new relationships to build stronger international ties. In addition, we hope that participants will use new knowledge and skills to address social issues and transfer lessons learned to their home community.
For more information, contact: Global Training and Development Institute at 860-486-0235